Famous as a hard-running winger in his heyday, KickOff manages to 'catch up' with former Mamelodi Sundowns star Koketso Mmotong in this edition of My First Pay Cheque.
Mmotong explains how he had to get protection from his friends after receiving his first-ever salary in professional football.
Who you signed for?
"My first salary was at Publican Brothers, which was [campaigning] in the First Division. They were Mamelodi Sundowns' feeder team.
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"I remember I was still at school doing Grade 9. They had signed me from some amateur team called Mandla Professional, who were playing in the Mamelodi Football Association [MAFA].
"At Publican Brothers, we had the likes of Mike Manzini, Bennet Mnguni, and Sundowns loaned them to our team. Remember, we were their feeder team."
How much was it?
"R500. Eish, this money gave me a shock. Remember, I was 17 at the time. I was still a student. I couldn't believe such a huge amount was all mine.
"I had to ask some of my friends to give me an escort on my way home. I couldn't take chances. The envelope was too big and too full."
What did you buy with it?
"I only took R100 and gave the rest of it to my mom. Both my parents were not working at the time, so I had to help at home because I had siblings who needed to be taken care of."
How did you celebrate?
"I took that R100 and bought lots of kotas, drinks, packet chips, and cold-drinks for those friends of mine. Remember, I was still at school, so I was not drinking."
So, you didn't buy any tekkies for yourself?
"Nothing."
What about the girlfriend allowance?
"Nah, me and girls, those days we were oil and water. Bengingajoli [I was not dating] at the age of 17, I'd just go to school, and after school, it was football.
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"I don't feel like football owes me anything though. I'm happy with the money I was getting from playing football. I could take care of my family."